Bath is already famous for its festivals, with music, food, literature and even a Jane Austen festival packing out the city’s calendar every year. Now there’s a new addition to the schedule, with the launch of an exciting new Americana music festival.

Bath’s first and only Americana festival, The 7 Hills, will be held on 4th September 2021 from 11am to 9pm. The venue for the event, described as “a secret garden, just whispering distance from the city centre” is Lyncombe Court. This is a Grade II listed building within Lyncombe Vale, not far from Alexandra Park and Prior Park Landscape Garden. 

The festival’s name is inspired by the seven hills that Bath is built on, which includes Combe Down, Odd Down, Lansdowne, Claverton Down, Bathampton Down, Bathwick Hill and Salisbury Hill.

The event is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Matt Owens, who lives in Bath. Owens is best known as the bassist of indie folk band Noah and the Whale between 2006 and 2015, during which time the band toured globally with the likes of Arcade Fire and Laura Marling. 

Fresh from a solo album release in October 2020, Owens started planning the festival while also hosting a live show on Radio Bath and a monthly live music night. Speaking in Circus Journal, the musician explained his ambitions for his new Bath festival:

“The 7 Hills Festival will be a glimpse into the culture of Americana and the quality and breadth of music. It will be an incredible day of music, set on two stages, with superb acts, from singer-songwriters to rock’n’roll bands, troubadours and blues singers playing back-to-back.

“This is a festival for music fans, championing both established and fantastic original artists. It will be a lovingly put-together experience, set in the Pleasure Gardens in Lyncombe Vale – one of the most stunning places a musician could hope to play – with delicious local food and craft beer.” 

He also explained that in the future, he’d like to move the festival into the city centre and expand it over several days and locations. 

The 7 Hills Festival lineup 2021

Headlining the first ever Americana festival is Bristol-based Beth Rowley, the Brit award nominee whose 2008 album Little Dreamer reached the top 10 of the UK album charts. 

Also at the top of the lineup is Louis Brennan, the London-based folk singer-songwriter originally from Dublin. Brennan’s debut album Dead Capital was released in 2018, and the artist was described by GQ as “A master storyteller with a voice like rolling thunder”. 

Other highlights from the lineup include:

• Lady Nade – an accomplished singer-songwriter and UK Americana Award nominee
• Michele Stodart – bassist, vocalist and writer with the double-platinum selling The Magic Numbers
• Matt Owens and the D.V.P – festival organiser and founder known for his song-noir narratives and gritty guitar style as a solo performer.

Also on the bill are Ellie Gowers, Blue Violet and Bath-based Ali George and Avalon Highway. 

Plan your visit 

Tickets for The 7 Hills Festival have been in high demand, but there’s still a final chance to get hold of some. Head to the festival’s website to join the waiting list for tickets – you never know, you might be lucky!

If you are one of those fortunate to have bagged tickets, don’t leave it too late to sort your accommodation. The Looking Glass House is within a short stroll to Lyncombe Court, along with our Southcot Hideway. 

But you can also reach the festival site easily from any of our Bath city centre self-catering accommodation – take a look at what’s available here.